Assemblyman Fred W. Thiele, Jr. (I, D, WF, WE-Sag Harbor) has nominated three local high school students for the Presidential Scholars Program: Ms. Victoria Blydenburgh of Westhampton Beach High School, Mr. Steven Shaw of William Floyd High School and Ms. Siena Gates of Southampton High School (CTE Candidate).

The Presidential Scholars Program was established by President Lyndon Johnson in 1964 and recognizes high school seniors on the basis of outstanding scholarship. This recognition is one of the nation’s highest honors for high school students. By January 2017, The State Education Department Commissioner, MaryEllen Elia, will nominate twenty high school seniors — 10 females and 10 males — from New York to be considered for this honor. In addition to those nominations, Commissioner Elia will nominate up to five students in Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs.

Assemblyman Thiele stated, “It was my pleasure to nominate these three outstanding local students to the prestigious Presidential Scholars Program. They stand out as having academic success, leadership qualities, community involvement and extraordinary personal achievements. I am proud to represent such fine students in the First Assembly District and wish them the best of luck as the nomination process continues.”

Students chosen as U.S. Presidential Scholar Finalists will receive an expense-paid trip to Washington, D.C. in June 2017 and will be presented with the U.S. Presidential Scholars medallion at a ceremony sponsored by the White House.

For more information about the U.S. Presidential Scholars Program and the Commission on Presidential Scholars please visit: www.ed.gov/psp.